This piece is the best addition to any pipe! This provides a lot smoother drags and prevents nearly all byproduct from getting into your pipe. Keeping this attached would make your pipe stay cleaner while the ash catcher catches all the ash. The only downside would be: if you drag too hard, water can leave the ash catcher and go into the main pipe. The ash catcher does have to be refilled after use, but, this is the case with neraly all ash catchers.